Continuous feed banding device



March 21, 1961 T. F. ARONSON mm. 5,

CONTINUOUS FEED BANDING DEVICE Filed Dec. 2, 1959 6 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTORS THEODORE F. ARONSON FLOYD A. LYON A TORNEY March 21, 1961 T. F. ARONSON ETAL 2,975,571

commuous FEED BANDING DEVICE Filed Dec. 2, 1959 6 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTORS THEODORE F. ARONSON FLOYD A.LYON

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ATTORNEY March 21, 1961 1-. F. ARONSON ETAL 2,975,571

CONTINUOUS FEED BANDING DEVICE Filed Dec. 2, 1959 6 Sheets-Sheet 5 Fig.5.

i -aa IN V EN TORS THEODORE F. ARONSON BY FLOYD A.LYON

ATTORNEY March 21, 1961 T. F. ARONSON ETAL 2,975,571

CONTINUOUS FEED BANDING DEVICE 6 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed Dec. 2, 1959 INVENTORS THEODORE FARONSON FLOYD A- LYON ATTORNEY March 21, 1961 T. F. ARONSON El'AL 2,975,571

CONTINUOUS FEED BANDING DEVICE Filed Dec. 2, 1959 6 Sheets-Sheet 5 IN V EN TORS THEODORE F. ARONSON FLOYD A-LYON BY QZ W- MM ATTORNEY March 1961 T. F. ARONSON ETAL 2,975,571

CONTINUOUS FEED BANDING DEVICE Filed Dec. 2, 1959 6 Sheets-Sheet 6 Fig.5. so Fig.7.

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INVENTORS THEODORE F.ARONSON FLOYD A-LYON- ATTORNEY United States Patent CONTINUOUS FEED BANBING DEVICE Theodore F. Aronson, 60 Crescent Road, Glen Cove,

N.Y., and Floyd A. Lyon, Old Wheatley Road, Brookville, N.Y.

Filed Dec. 2, 1959, Ser. No. 856,824-

12 Claims. (Cl. 53-198) This invention relates to a device for continuously banding envelopes which are being fed from an envelope making machine, and is a continuation in part of our copending application entitled Continuous Feed Banding Device filed on April 18, 1958, Serial Number 727,413, now abandoned.

Presently known envelope manufacturing machines produce envelopes in a steady stream. Mechanisms which are associated with such devices must, therefore, be capable of accepting and working with a constant feed of envelopes at high speeds.

Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a device for applying a band around groups of envelopes without interrupting the constant feed of envelopes entering the device.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a high speed envelope banding mechanism.

A further object of the present invention is to provide an envelope banding device in which the banding tape is under complete control at all times.

A feature of the present invention is its tape handling mechanism.

Another feature of the present invention is its use of a thermo setting adhesive coated tape for heat sealing during the banding operation.

A still further feature of the present invention is its tape control structure whereby the tape is carried through the machine in a precise manner during the entire banding operation.

The invention consists of the construction, combination and arrangement of parts, as herein illustrated, described and claimed.

In the accompanying drawings, forming a part hereof is illustrated one form of embodiment of the invention, and in which:

Figure 1 is a view in side elevation of the front or envelope receiving portion of a banding machine made in accordance with the present invention.

Figure 2 is a viewin side elevation showing the remainder of the envelope banding machine shown in Figure 1.

Figure 3 is a view in side elevation on an enlarged scale showing the envelope banding and receiving stations shown in Figure 1.

Figure 4 is a view in side elevation of the envelope banding machine taken from the opposite side of the machine from that shown in Figures 1, 2 and 3.

Figure 5 is a cross-sectional view taken on line 55 of Figure 2 looking in the direction of the arrows showing the control cams and associated mechanisms for operating the envelope banding machine.

Figure 6 is a diagrammatic view showing the operation of the envelope banding machine during the first stage of the banding cycle. 1

Figure 7 is a diagrammatic view showing the second stage of the banding operation.

Figure 8 is a view similar to Figures 6 and 7 showing the sealing stage of the banding operation.

asrasin' I Patented Mar. 21, 1961 'ice - cated in dashed lines in Figure 1, and which forms a part of and is operated by the envelope making machine 12 urges the envelopes 11 along the table 10 and against stop members 16 and 17. Thestop, members 16 and 17 comprise small arms which are disposed in the path of the envelopes 11 coming from the envelope making machine 12. Stop member 16 depends from a horizontal member 18 and is pivotally secured at 19 to a small bracket 20 supported by the horizontal member 18. A spring 21 secured at one end to a small arm 22 and at its other end to the stop member 16 urges the depending portion of the stop member 16 in the direction of the envelopes 11.

The upstanding stop members 17, as best shown in Figure 4, are pivotally secured at 23 to the table 10. A small lever 24 is attached to the outer end of the pivot shaft 23 and has a coil spring 25 secured to the free end thereof. The coil spn'ng 25 urges the stop members 17 in the direction of the envelopes 11.

When the desired number of envelopes has piled up upon the table and against the stop members 16, 17 the spaced envelope advancing claws 26, will be raised in the hereinafter more fully described manner, advanced to their position above the stack of envelopes, lowered, and thereafter drawn across the table 19 to bring the envelopes into the banding station. The envelope making machine is provided with a counter (not shown) from which a signal may be taken to start the bander through this cycle. Small detents 27, 28 are provided at the front of the table 10 and horizontal member 18 to prevent the envelopes from slipping back in the direction of the conveyor 13. The detents 27, 28 are spring loaded so that the envelopes can move in the direction of the banding machine without appreciable resistance but cannot move in an opposite direction as they pile up against the stops 16, 17.

As the envelopes 11 are drawn across the table 10 by the spaced claws 26 they encounter the banding tape 29 (best shown in Figures 4 and 6) which has been drawn upwardly through the banding station by the jaws 30 between the claws 26. The banding tape is coated on one side with a thermo sensitive adhesive material which will seal in the presence of heat. The claws 26 continue to advance the envelopes 11 across the table 10 until they are brought to rest against a platten and stop member 31. The band 29 at this juncture will extend beneath the stack of envelopes 11 and between the envelopes and platten and stop member 31 and then upwardly to the jaws as shown in Figure 6. The tape is thus held by the jaws at one end and between the envelopes and the banding machine at its other end.

With the envelopes 11 in the banding station and the band 29 partially wrapped therearound, a small trailing portion at the lower-end of the band 29 is severed by a knife 32. (See Figures 1 and 7.) The knife 32 is located beneath the table 10 and is actuated in a manner hereinafter more fully set forth. A swingable arm 33 having a tape tucking blade 34 at the end thereof, is next brought from the position shown in Figures 1 and 6 to that shown in Figure 7. In this elevated position the blade 34 tucks the small trailing end of the band 29 around the stack of envelopes 11 as shown in Figure 7.

The jaws are then brought down, in a hereinafter more fully described manner, from the position shown in Figure 7 to that shown in Figure 8. The banding material 29 is thereby wrapped around the envelopes 11 and brought over the trailing edge of the band. A small heat sealing unit which is carried by the jaw transporting structure 36 of the machine immediately above the jaws 30 is brought into contact with the overlapped ends of the band 29 to effect a rapid sealing of the band around the envelopes 11. As the jaws 30 and the heat sealer 35 move downwardly the arm 33 swings away from the envelopes 11 and the blade 34 is withdrawn from the path of the jaws 30. The jaws 30 continue down past the table 10 and engage a protruding end 37 0f the band 29 which has been lifted after the knife 32 severed the band 29. The jaws 30 grasp the tape end 37 and move upwardly past the banding station ready for the next banding operation.

While the banding of the envelopes 11 in the banding station was taking place the envelopes 11 coming from the conveyor 13 were piling up in front of the steps 16, 17 with great speed. The banding machine is so arranged that the desired number of envelopes 11 will have arrived in front of the stops 16 and 17 in the interval it takes to band the envelopes in the banding station. At the end of the banding operation the claws 26 are moved forward to engage the envelopes in front of the stops 16, 17 and draw them into the banding station. The stop 17 is retracted with the platten 31.

As the claws 26 move forward they are raised to the position shown in Figure 4. Envelope gripping members 40 which are pivotally secured to each of the claws 26 as indicated at 41 in Figure 3 are brought into contact with the cam surface 42 of an upstanding member 43 secured to the horizontal member 18. The cram surfaces 42 serve to separate the grippers from the claw fingers 44. The cam surfaces 42 overcome the tension of a small coil spring 4'5 which is secured at one end to the claw structure 26 and at its opposite end to the top of the grippers 40. As the claws 26 are lowered upon the envelopes 11 they are securely grasped between the claw fingers 44 and the grippers 40 which are then urged in the direction of the fingers 44 by the spring 45. The rearmost portion 46 of the claw 26 is brought into contact with previously banded stacks of envelopes 11 as it travels across the table 10. In this manner, the banded envelopes are advanced rearwardly away from the banding station as the banding operation proceeds. The platten 31 is lowered to permit their passage.

As the banded envelopes 11 are pushed out of the banding station by the claws 26 they slip past small spring loaded detents 47 carried by the table 10 beneath the rear portion 46 of the claw member 26. The bound envelopes thus are prevented from moving in the direction of the banding station during succeeding operations. The detents 47 permit the envelopes to be pulled in a direction away from the banding station but act as stops against the motion of the envelopes in the opposite direction.

Referring to Figures 1, 3 and 4, it will be seen that the jaw transporting structure 36 is slidably carried upon the vertical rod 48. The rod 48 is supported at its top by a bracket 49 and at its bottom by a second bracket 50. The bracket '50 is integral with a rigid frame '51 which is secured to the table 10. The bracket 49 is secured to the top of a vertical column 52 which is mounted upon the frame 51.

A reciprocating motion is imparted to the jaw transporting structure 36 by means of a beam 53. The beam 53'is coupled at one end to the upper portion of the jaw transporting structure 36 and freely supported by a shaft 55 at its other end. The shaft 55 is secured at its ends between a vertical support 54 and a vertical post 150 on the frame 51.

The beam 53 is provided with an elongated slot 56, as shown in Figure 4 within which there is received the end 59 of the rod 61. The rod 61 is driven by mechanism, hereinafter more fully described, and causes the beam to pivot upon the shaft '55 thereby imparting reciprocating motion to the jaw transporting structure 36. The slot 56 permits the beam elevation to be adjusted by changing the position of the end of the rod 61.

The portion of the jaw transporting structure 36 which slides upon the rod 48 is in the form of a sleeve 62 having a flange-like member 63, 64 at each end thereof. The upper flange 63 has an outwardly extending arm 65 thereon which is secured to a bearing member 66. The bearing 66 is slidably received upon a rod 67a which is vertically held between the brackets 49' and 50. The rod 67a serves to guide the travel of the bearing 66 thereon.

The lower flange 64 is secured to a plate like member 67 having spaced pairs of upstanding support members 68 and 69 in which there are carried shafts 70, 71. Two actuating levers 72, 73 are pivotally supported by the shaft 71 and two bell crank arms 74, 75 are pivotally supported by the shaft 78. The levers and arms are connected by links 76, 77 respectively. The free ends of the bell crank arms 74, 75 are secured to rods 78, 7? respectively. The rod 78 is connected to the end of the movable portion 30a of the jaws 30. The movable portion 38a of the jaws 30 is pivotally held at 38 so that as the rod '78 is raised and lowered the jaws 30 are caused to open and shut. The rod 79 is connected at its lower end to a small ear 81 projecting from the thermostatically controlled heat sealing member 35. As the rod 79 moves up and down it causes the heat sealing member 35 to move against or away from the banding material.

The free ends of the levers 72, 73 are provided with small rollers 82, 83 which engage or ride upon one way earns 84, 85.

Cam 84 is in the form of an elongated flattened bar best shown in Figures 3 and 4. The one way cam 85 rotates the lever 72 only when the jaw transporting structure 36 is moving downwardly. When the roller 83 is at the top of the cam 84 it rests upon the front surface 86 of the said cam. A roller guide plate 87 is secured to the side of the cam 84 as best shown in Figure 3. The guide plate 87 is provided with an outwardly bent leaf 88 which lies in the path of the roller 83 as it descends along the surface 86 of the cam 84. Since the guide plate 87 is secured at its top as indicated at 89 the plate 87 can be forced away from the cam 84 by the roller 83. As the roller 83 descends along the surface 86 it slips behind the leaf 88 and bends the guide plate 87 away from the cam 84. The roller 83 is then able to enter the cut away portion 90 of the cam 84 best shown in Figure 4. When the roller 83 enters the cut away portion 98 the lever 73 acting through the link 77 and the bell crank 75 causes the rod 79 to move down, forcing the sealing member 35 into contact with the banding tape 29. As the roller continues its downward travel it again moves out upon the straight surface 86 of the cam 84 and the leaf member 88 is released. When the jaw transporting structure 36 is again raised the roller 83 will travel along the outer edge of the guide plate 87 which will prevent the roller 83 from entering the cut away portion 90 of the cam 84. In this manner the heat sealing member 35 will be kept from touching the banding tape on the return stroke of the jaw transporting structure 36.

As the roller 82 descends, with the travel of the jaw transporting structure 36, it encounters the inclined surface 92 of the one-way cam 85. The lever 72 is thus caused to pivot about the shaft 71. The motion of the lever 72 is transmitted through the link 76 and the bell crank 74 to the rod 78. As the rod 78 is raised the jaws 30a of the tape engaging structure are opened to grasp the end of the tape. The one-way cam 85 is pivotally secured to the frame 51 of the machine as indicated at 93. A weak spring 94 holds the cam 85 in the position for imparting the desired motion to the lever 72. However, as the jaw transporting structure 36 is raised, the roller 82 moves past the cam 85, pushing it aside by overcoming the tension of the spring 94. The lever 72 is thus not affected by the cam. In this manner the jaws 30 are maintained in a closed position while the banding tape is being drawn upwardly. The levers 72, 73, are urged in the direction of the cams 84, 85 by means of coil springs 94, 95 which are secured at one end to the flange, 63 and at their opposite ends to small arms 96, 97 which are in turn attached to the levers 72, 73.

As shown in Figures 1, 2 and 4 the banding tape 29 is fed from a roll 29a at the rear of the machine over a series of rollers 194, 195, 196 and around a small roller 197 secured at the end of an arm 98. The arm 98 is pivotally secured at its inner end upon a shaft 99. A small cam 100 is also journaled upon the shaft 99 and secured to the arm 98. A switch 101 is disposed adjacent the cam 100 and the switch arm 102 rides upon the said cam. The tape 29 is led from the roller 197 upwardly into a tape guide structure 103.

The tape guide 102 (shown in Figure 3) consists of spaced plate members 104, 105 between which the tape 29 is received. The plate 105 is provided with a small Window 106 therein through which the surface of the tape 29 can be reached by a small pawl 107. The pawl 107 is pivotally mounted upon a flat bar 108 secured beneath the table 10, and is urged in the direction of the tape 29 by a small coil spring 109. The pawl 107 serves to prevent the tape 29 from slipping downwardly and falling out of the tape guide structure 103. The disposition of the pawl 107 is such that the tape can be drawn upwardly through the guide 103 but will be squeezed between the pawl 107 and the plate 104 as it attempts to slide down.

As the tape 29 is drawn upwardly by the jaws 30 it shortens the loop formed by the arm 98. The arm is thus caused to rotate about its shaft 99 carrying with it the cam 100. The shape of the cam 100 is such that when the arm 98 reaches a pre-set elevation the switch arm 102 will be moved thereby energizing a small motor 110 connected to the roller 196. The motor 110 to drive additional tape 29 from the roll 29a until the arm 98 again reaches the position where the switch 101 will again be opened. In this manner a positive supply of tape 29 will be fed into the banding station as desired.

As shown in Figures 2 and 5 the main power source of the banding machine is a motor 111 mounted upon a plate 112 secured beneath the table 10. The motor 111 drives a gear reduction unit 113 the output shaft of which is connected to a combined magnetic clutch and brake unit 114 by a chain drive 115.

The output shaft 114a on the clutch brake unit is provided with a spur gear 116 which drives a large gear 117 on the main shaft 118 of the envelope banding machine. The main shaft 118 is provided with a series of cams 119, 120, 121, 122, 123, 124 and 125, secured thereto by means of which the various operations in the envelope banding process are carried out. The clutch brake unit 114 is responsive to a signal coming from the envelope making machine and connected to the envelope counter on said machine. When a suificient number of envelopes has been made by the machine and delivered upon the table of the banding machine, the signal energizes the clutch brake unit114 thereby releasing the brake mechanism and allowing the motor 111 to drive the banding machine through one complete banding cycle.

Cycling cams 126, 127 are secured to the end of the main shaft 118 and rotate upon switches 128, 129. The cycling cam 127 rotates with the main shaft 118 and brings the shaft 118 to rest at the end of each cycle by opening the switch 129. The cycling cam 126 is so arranged that at the end of each cycle the signal from is swung into its forwardmost position.

the counter on the envelope machine is r'eset and ready to start the next banding operation.

A rocker shaft 130 is carried between the spaced plates 112, 131 of the banding machine and is spaced from the main shaft 118. The rocker shaft 130 serves as the common shaft for a plurality of rocker arms 132, 133, 134, 135 and 136, 181 which are pivotally mounted thereon. The rocker arms extend in the direction of the cams 119125 and are each provided with cam follower rollers 144, 137, 138, 139, 140, 141, and 142 respectively. The rollers ride upon the cams 119125 and motion is thereby transmitted to the rocker arms as the main shaft 118 is rotated.

Referring to Figure 4 it will be seen that the cam 119 located at the outer end of the shaft 118 provides the action for raising and lowering the beam 53 which controls the motion of the jaw transporting structure 36. A rocker arm 143 having a cam follower roller 144 spaced from one end thereof, riding upon the cam '119, is secured at its other end to the underside of the table 10 as indicated at 145. arm 143 to the beam 53.

As shown in Figures 2 and 4 the beam 53 is provided with spaced side Wall members 148, 149 which are pivotally secured at one end between the vertical post 150 and the vertical support 54 respectively. The free end of the beam members 148, 149 are joined together as indicated at 151. A clamp member 152 is swingably secured to the end of the beam by means of the bolt 153. "the clamp 152 embraces a small pin 154 between its jaws 155, 156. The pin 154 is attached to the top flange member 63 of the sleeve 62 and extends laterally therefrom. The jaws 155, 156 of the clamp 152 are urged together by a coil spring 157 to provide a safety engagement between the beam 53 and the pin 154. In

the event that the jaw transporting structure 36 becomes jammed and cannot move upwardly and the beam 53 is forced upwardly by the cam 119, the jaws 155, 156 of the clamp 152 will be forced apart to release the pin 154, thereby preventing damage to the machine.

The cam 120 which is secured to the main shaft 118 on the opposite side of the wall 131 from the cam 119 serves to advance the spaced olaws 26 of the banding machine. The rocker arm 132 is caused to move by the cam 120 by reason of the follower roller 137 thereon.

An actuating link 162 extends upwardly from the upon the cam 120 it causes the link 162 to swing through a short are thereby driving the casting 164 along the rod 166. The claw members 26 are also journaled upon the shaft 163. As the casting 164 slides back and forth along .the rod 166 the claw members 26 are thereby advanced and retracted along the table 10. The motion of the link 162 as it returns to the position shown in Figure 2 is quite abrupt due to the fact that the coil springs 169, which is secured at one end to the link 162 and at its opposite end to a bracket 170 on the table 10 is under its extreme tension when the link 162 As soon as the cam 120 releases the follower arm 132 the link 162 snaps back to its original position. The cam surface of the link 162 is designed to slow down the travel of the link 162 as it approaches the end of its rearward travel. A small stop member 171 is carried upon a support 172 on the link 162 and serves as a rest for the claws 126 when they are in the completely retracted position.

As the claws 26 are moved forward by the link 162 The rod 61 connects the rocker a 7 they are raised to take them out of engagement with the bound stack of envelopes'and permit them to grasp the new stack of envelopes which has been piling up on the front of the machine. The mechanism whereby the claws 26 are raised is best shown in Figures 2, 4 and 5. Referring to Figures 4 and it will be seen that the rocker arm 133 on the shaft 130 is controlled by a cam 121 by reason of the follower roller 138 carried by the said rocker arm 133. The free end of the arm 133 has attached thereto an elongated rod 173 as indicated at 174. The opposite end of the rod 173 is provided with a coupling 175 which is secured to an arm 176 attached to the end of the claw members 26. The arm 176 is provided with a plurality of holes 177 which can be selectively engaged by the coupling 175 to vary the height to which the claws 126 will be raised as the rod 173 moves up and down in response to the action of the cam 121. The arm 176 has a small roller 178 thereon which rides upon a rail member 179 secured to the main casting 51. A coil spring 180 is attached to the rocker arm 133 as shown in Figure 5 to keep the roller 138 in contact with the surface of the cam 121 at all times and to return the rod 173 to its original position at the end of each banding operation.

The mechanism for controlling the heater platten 31 and envelope stop 17 may be observed from an examination of Figures 3, 4 and 5. The power for the platten 31 is taken from the cam 122 on the shaft 118. A

rocker arm 134 is driven by the cam 122 through its follower roller 139. The actuating arm 39 for the platten 31 is secured at one end to the rocker arm 134 at its other end to an actuating tab 182 secured to the small shaft 183 to which the gear 38 is attached. The gear 38 is in mesh with a small gear 184 which drives a shaft 185. A depending arm 1.86 is secured to the platten 31 and is keyed to the shaft 185. As the arm 39 is reciprocated by the operation of the cam 122 and the rocker arm 134 the platten 31 will be caused to rise and fall Within the opening 187 in the table 10. In this manner the platten can be raised to act as a firm support to back up the stack against which the heat sealer bears. Thereafter it is withdrawn so that the envelopes can he slid along the table 10. A coil spring 188 is secured at one end to the follower arm 134 and at its other end to the bottom frame 189 of the banding machine. After the arm 39 has retracted the platten 31 the coil spring 188 snaps it back into its elevated position ready for the next banding operation. The shaft 185 also lowers the stop 17 as it rotates, swinging link 1148 and arm 24 connected thereto.

After the banding tape 29 has been severed by the knife 32 and before the jaws 30 can again grasp the end of the tape 37 it is necessary to raise the tape 29 and the tape guide 103 a small amount. The tape 29 is raised by pivoting the flat bar 108 which supports the guide 103 upwardly. As the plate 108 is pivoted about its pivot point 214 the guide 103 will be lifted carrying with it the end 37 of the tape 29 therein.

The motion of the plate 105 is imparted to it by means of cam 123 best shown in Figure 5. The cam 123 drives the rocker annt 135 through the follower roller 149. An elongated rod 190 is secured at one end to the rocker 135 and at its other end to the depending portion 191 of the flat bar 188.

A coil spring 195, secured at one end to the rocker arm 135 and at its other end to the bottom frame 189, serves to return the fiat bar 108 to its original position after the bar has been raised.

After the tape 29 has been cut it is necessary to lift the small trailing edge and wrap it around the envelopes as hereinabove set forth. This operation is accomplished by means of the cam 124, the rocker arm 136 and its follower roller 141. A rod 193 is secured at one end to the follower arm 136 and at its other end to the band tucking arm 33 as shown in Figures 1 and 5. The band tucking arm 33 is pivotally carried beneath the table 10 and is provided on its free end with an elongated tucking blade 34. As the cam 124 rotates it moves the control rod 193 in a reciprocating manner thereby raising and lowering the tucking arm 33. The tucking arm 33 slips through the opening 198 in the table 10 through which the jaws 30 also pass. In this manner the tucking arm 33 can pick up the trailing end of the band 29, as shown in Figures 7 and 8, and hold it in place until the banding operation is almost completed. A coil spring 199 secured at one end to the rocker arm 136 and at its opposite end to the bottom frame 189 of the machine serves to return the tape tucking arm 33 to its original lowered position following each banding operation. As the jaw carried end of the tapes 29 is brought over the trailing edge, the tucking arm is withdrawn before it.

The operation of the tape severing knife 32 is governed by the cam 125 on shaft 118. Cam 125 drives the rocker arm 181 through the follower roller 142. A control rod 199 is secured at one end to the rocker arm 181 and at its opposite end to the knife 32.

As the rocker arm 181 best shown in Figures 1 and 5 is moved back and forth by the cam 125 it causes the knife '32 to slide in the direction of a fixed blade 200, best shown in Figure 3, to sever the tape 29 and thereafter return it to its original position. The rocker arm 181 is returned to its original position by means of an elongated coil spring 201 which is secured at one end to the rocker arm 181 and at its opposite end to the bottom frame of the machine 189.

The envelope banding machine is operated from a control box 202 best shown in Figure 1. Power is led into the control box 202 by means of cables 203. A motor switch control 204, and a heater switch control 147 are provided on the control box 282 to start, stop and otherwise operate the machine. A heater wire 205 is led from the control box 202 to the heat sealer 35 through the small panel 206. Current is thus supplied to the thermostat (not shown) and electrical heating elements within the heat sealer 35. Electrical potential is also supplied from the control box 282 to the tape driving motor by way of wire 207 and to the main motor 111 by means of wire 208.

In addition to adjusting the elevation of the claws 26 for different sizes of envelopes it is possible to adjust the machine to vary the distance between the table 10 and the horizontal member 18. This adjustment is accomplished by means of the threaded rod 209 which is secured at its lower end to a plate 210 by which the horizontal member 18 is carried (see Figures 1 and 3). The upper portion of the rod 209 is threaded through a nut 211 which is supported between spaced bracket members 212 on the frame 51. A locking screw 213 is carried by the bracket members 212 and serves to fix the nut 211 in positiononce the height of the horizontal member 18 has been adjusted. In order to raise the horizontal member 18 it is merely necessary to loosen the locking screw 213, turn the nut 211 the desired number of turns to raise or lower the horizontal member 18 and thereafter tighten the locking screw 213.

From the foregoing it will be seen there has been provided an envelope banding machine capable of receiving envelopes from an envelope making machine at high speed, banding the envelopes without interrupting the flow of envelopes into the machine and thereafter ejecting the banded envelopes from the banding machine. In addition, it will be observed that the banding tape at all times is under positive control of the machine so that uniform accurate banding can be accomplished at high speed. Moreover, the machine lends .itself to a wide variety and sizes of envelopes.

It is within the. purview of the present invention to band articles other than envelopes by means of the here 9 in described machine although the description has been restricted to the banding of envelopes for the purposes of example. The present device lends itself to the banding of shingles, cardboards, flat objects and the like.

Having thus fully described the invention, what is claimed as new and desired to be secured by Letters Patent of the United States is:

1. A machine for handing envelopes coming from a constant feed source comprising a table, an envelope receiving station on said table, means to receive the envelopes upon the receiving station, a rigid frame above the table, claw members slidably carried by the frame above the table to grasp a plurality of envelopes at the receiving station, a banding station on said table, a supply of banding material beneath the table, an opening in the table at the banding station, jaw means carried by the frame for grasping the leading end of the banding material and drawing it through the banding station in a direction transverse to the plane of the table, means to advance the claw members and grasped envelopes across the table into the banding station and against the banding material held by the jaw means, until the banding material is partially wrapped about and held beneath the envelopes, a knife carried beneath the table to sever the partially wrapped banding material from the supply, an arm swingably secured beneath the table and adjacent the opening therein to lift the severed trailing end of the banding material and guide it around the envelopes in the banding station, means for lowering the jaw means and the leading end of the banding material until it overlies the trailing end and encircles the envelopes, and a sealing member adjacent the jaws to secure the ends of the band.

2. A machine for banding envelopes coming from a constant feed source comprising a table, an envelope receiving station on said table, means to receive the envelopes upon the receiving station, a rigid frame above the table, spaced claw members slidably carried by the frame above the table to grasp a plurality of envelopes at the receiving station, a banding station on said table, a supply of handing material beneath the table, an opening in the table at the banding station, jaw means carried by the frame for grasping the leading end of the banding material and drawing it through the banding station between the claws in a direction transverse to the plane of the table, means including a motor, a cam driven by said motor and a rocker arm controlled by the cam and coupled to the claw members to advance the claw members and grasped envelopes across the table into the banding station and against the banding material held by the jaw means, until the banding material is partially wrapped about and held beneath the envelopes, a knife carried beneath the table to sever the partially wrapped banding material from the supply, an arm swingably secured beneath the table and adjacent the opening therein to lift the severed trailing end of the banding material and guide it around the envelopes in the banding station, means for lowering the jaw means and the leading end of the banding material until it overlies the trailing end and encircles the envelopes, and a sealing member adjacent the jaws to secure the ends of the band.

3. A machine for banding envelopes coming from a constant feed source comprising a table, an envelope receiving station on said table, means to receive the envelopes upon the receiving station, a rigid frame above the table, spaced claw members slidably carried by the frame above the table, gripping members pivotally carried by the claws, springs connected to the gripping men bers urging them toward the claws to grasp a plurality of envelopes at the receiving station, a banding station on said table, a supply of handing material beneath the table, an opening in the table at the banding station, jaw means carried by the frame for grasping the leading end of the banding material and drawing it through the banding station between the claws in a direction transverse to the plane of the table, means including a motor, a cam driven 10 by said motor and a rocker arm controlled by the cant and coupled to the claw members to advance the claw members and grasped envelopes across the table into the banding station and against the banding material held by the jaw means, until the banding material is partially wrapped about and held beneath the envelopes, a knife carried beneath the table to sever the partially wrapped banding material from the supply, an arm swingably secured beneath the table and adjacent the opening therein to lift the severed trailing end of the banding material and guide it around the envelopes in the banding station, means for lowering the jaw means and the leading end of the banding material until it overlies the trailing end and encircles the envelopes, a sealing member adjacent the jaw to secure the ends of the band, and means to raise the claws out of engagement with the bound envelopes and drive them toward the envelope receiving station to grasp a plurality of envelopes.

4. A machine for banding envelopes coming from a constant feed source comprising a table, an envelope receiving station on said table, a rigid frame overhanging said table, spaced claw members carried by the frame and longitudinally slidable with respect to the table, a banding station on the table spaced from the receiving station, a supply of handing material beneath the table, a tape receiving opening in the table at the banding station, jaws carried by the frame to grasp the leading edge of the banding material, means to vertically transport the jaws to draw the banding material through the banding station in a direction transverse to the plane of the table, a source of rotary power for the machine, a plurality of cams driven by said power source, a first cam driven rocker arm coupled to the claw members to advance the said claw members and the grasped envelopes from the receiving station and into the banding station a distance sufficient to hold the banding material beneath the envelopes and partially wrap it around said envelopes, a knife carried beneath the table, a second cam driven rocker arm connected to the knife to sever the partially wrapped banding material from the supply, an arm swingably secured beneath the table adjacent the opening therein, a third cam driven rocker arm coupled to the swingable arm to lift the said arm and raise the trailing edge of the banding material until it rests upon the envelopes in the banding station, a fourth carn driven rocker arm coupled to the jaw transporting means to lower the jaws carrying the leading end of the banding material until it overlies the trailing end and encircles the envelopes, a heat sealing member adjacent the jaws and movable therewith, and means to bring the heat sealing memher into contact with the overlapped ends of the banding material to secure them together.

5. A machine according to claim 4 in which the jaw transporting means comprises a beam pivotally secured to the frame at one end, a sleeve coupled to the beam at its outer end, an elongated rod carried by the frame to slidably receive the sleeve, a jaw supporting plate on the sleeve and a cam driven rocker arm coupled to the beam to swing it about its pivot.

6. A machine according to claim 4 in which the jaw transporting means comprises a beam pivotally secured to the frame at one end, a sleeve coupled to the beam at its outer end, an elongated rod carried by the frame to slidably receive the sleeve, a jaw supporting plate on the sleeve, a one Way cam carried by the frame adjacent the elongated rod, a cam follower arm pivotally supported upon the plate and engageable at one end by the one way cam,'a linkage operatively connecting the follower arm and the jaw, and a cam driven rocker arm coupled to the beam to swing it about its pivot.

7. A machine according to claim 4 in which the jaw and heat sealing member transporting means comprises a beam pivotally secured to the frame at one end, a sleeve coupled to the beam at its outer end, an elongated rod carried by the frame to slidably receive the sleeve,

a jaw and heat sealing member supporting plate on the sleeve, a first one way cam carried by the frame adjacent the elongated rod, a first cam follower arm, pivotally supported upon the plate and engageable at one end by the first one way cam, a first linkage operatively connecting the follower arm and the jaw, a second one way cam carried by the frame adjacent the elongated rod, a second cam follower arm pivotally supported upon the plate and engageable at one end by the second one way cam, a second linkage operatively connecting the follower arm and the heat sealing member, and a cam driven rocker arm coupled to the beam to swing it about its pivot.

8. A machine for handing envelopes coming from a constant feed source comprising a table, an envelope receiving station on said table, a rigid frame overhanging said table, spaced claw members carried by the frame and longitudinally slidable with respect to the table, a banding station on the table spaced from the receiving station, a supply of banding material beneath the table, a tape receiving opening in the table at the banding station, jaws carried by the frame to grasp the leading edge of the banding material, means to vertically transport the jaws to draw the banding material through the banding station in a direction transverse to the plane of the table, a source of rotary power for the machine, a plurality of cams driven by said power source, a first cam driven rocker arm coupled to the claw members to advance the said claw members and the grasped envelopes from the receiving station and into the handing station a distance sufficient to hold the banding material beneath the envelopes and partially wrap it around said envelopes, a knife carried beneath the table, a second cam driven rocker arm connected to the knife to sever the partially wrapped banding material from the supply, an arm swingably secured beneath the table adjacent the opening therein, a third cam driven rocker arm coupled to the swingable arm to lift the said arm and raise the trailing edge of the banding material until it rests upon the envelopes in the banding station, a fourth cam driven rocker arm coupled to the jaw transporting means to lower the jaws carrying the'leading end of the banding material until it overlies the trailing end and encircles the envelopes, a heat sealing member adjacent the jaws and movable therewith, means to bring the heat sealing member into contact with the overlapped ends of the banding material to secure them together, a fifth cam driven rocker arm operatively connected to the claw members to swing the claw members about the pivot and out of engagement with the r bound envelopes.

9. A machine according to claim 8 in which the envelope receiving station includes an elongated horizontal member held by the frame in a plane parallel to and spaced from the table, a pair of fixed cams on the envelope receiving end of the horizontal member and a pair of gripping members pivotally held on the claws engageable with the fixed'cams whereby the gripping members are swung open for engagement with the envelopes in the receiving station.

10. A machine for banding envelopes coming from a constant feed source comprising a table, an envelope receiving station on said table, a rigid frame overhanging said table, spaced claw members carried by the frame and longitudinally slidable with respect to the table, a banding station on the table spaced from the receiving station, a supply of handing material beneath the table, a tape receiving opening in the table at the banding station, jaws carried by the frame to grasp the leading edge of the banding material, means to vertically transport the jaws to draw the banding material through the banding station in a direction transverse to the plane of the table, a banding material advancing means between the banding material supply and the banding station comprising a swingable arm to support a loop of handing material, a normally open switch adjacent the swingable arm, a motor responsive to the switch to drive the banding material from the supply toward the banding station and a cam on the swingable arm to close the switch when the loop of handing material is shortened and the swingable arm rotated thereby, a source of rotary power for the machine, a plurality of cams driven by said power source, a first cam driven rocker arm coupled to the claw members to advance the said claw members and the grasped envelopes from the receiving station and into the banding station a distance sufficient to hold the banding material beneath the envelopes and partially wrap it around said envelopes, a knife carried beneath the table, a second cam driven rocker arm connected to the knife to sever the partially wrapped banding material from the supply, an arm swingably secured beneath the table adjacent the opening therein, a third cam driven rocker arm coupled to the swingable arm to lift the said arm and raise the trailing edge of the banding material until it rests upon the envelopes in the banding station, a fourth cam driven rocker arm coupled to the jaw transporting means to lower the jaws carrying the leading end of the banding material until it overlies the trailing end and encircles the envelopes, a heat sealing member adjacent the jaws and movable therewith, and means to bring the heat sealing member into contact with the overlapped ends of the banding material to secure them together.

11. A machine according to claim 4 in which the banding station includes a heat sealing platten and stop member and a cam driven rocker arm connected to the platten and stop member to hold it against the envelopes during the banding operation and swing it beneath the table at the end of the banding operation.

12. A machine for banding flat articles into bundles comprising a table, an article receiving station on said table, means to receive the articles upon the receiving station, a rigid frame above the table, claw members slidably carried by the frame above the table to grasp a plurality of articles at the receiving station, a banding station on said table, a supply of handing material beneath the table, an opening in the table at the banding station, jaw means carried by the frame for grasping the leading end of the banding material and drawing it through the banding station, in a direction transverse to the plan of the table, means to advance the claw mernbers and grasped articles across the table into the banding station and against the banding material held by the jaw means, until the banding material is partially wrapped about and held beneath the flat articles, a knife carried beneath the table to sever the partially wrapped banding material from the supply, means adjacent the banding material to lift the severed trailing end of the banding material and guide it around the articles in the banding stations, means for lowering the jaw means and the leading end of the banding material until it overlies the trailing end and encircles the articles, and a sealing member adjacent the jaws to secure the ends of the band.

Howatt July 15, 1958 

